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California Doctoral Degree Programs

Many accredited graduate schools offer both Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctorate degrees as residential, or on-campus programs. Since the very fact of earning the highest academic degree is a big step, it is worth spending some time actually thinking about how to choose a graduate school program so that when it comes time to sorting through doctoral degrees you can marry the two components: the university and the program.

Doctorate Degrees and PhD Degrees: Choosing a Doctoral Program

Essentially, doctorate degrees are not all created equal in that some are geared to students who want to practice their profession and need a doctorate to do so (Medical Doctor: MD) and others are oriented to students who want to conduct research in their field. Choosing a doctoral program is often a reflection of both career goals and personality. You may love psychology but would prefer to stay in the laboratory than see patients in a clinic.

The Professional Doctorate Degree

While usually considered equivalent in academic status and challenging coursework to a PhD, a professional doctorate degree is oriented to those pursuing professional, rather than academic, careers.

Professional doctorate degrees can take 4 years of study past the Bachelor’s degree. In fact, many students prefer to skip a Master’s degree and apply to a doctoral program straight from college. This may be an option for you, however you may have to make up some Master’s level qualifications and have more years of professional experience. As a professional doctorate student, you are expected to take courses and conduct research. The research you do is typically to take existing knowledge and acquired skills and apply it to a specific topic or issue. This is done through a dissertation, a paper or innovation. Some examples of professional doctorate degrees include:

What is a Doctor of Philosophy?

The Doctor of Philosophy, popularly referred to as the PhD, is as you may notice also a ‘doctor’ degree. However, the PhD degree is a little different. In some cases, there is less coursework, with more time devoted to research methodology. This is to a certain extent because the dissertation is the central focus. And, unlike the professional doctorate, PhD candidates are expected to produce an original theory or concept to solve an issue or address a problem in their field of study. Their body of research needs to be published in a peer-reviewed journal and defended in front of others. Typically, the entry point to a PhD is a Master’s degree. Also common is that a PhD could take about 3 to 4 years to complete after that. Some universities do let students ‘fast-track’ their master’s to a PhD, but you need the grades, skills, and research abilities in place. Some examples of doctor of philosophy degrees are:

What Should I Look for in a Graduate School?

First off, there is no one answer to what makes a great graduate school or doctorate degree program, since everyone has unique tendencies and needs. That being said, factor in whether you are looking for a professional doctorate or a PhD degree as that may be useful in your search for a university. A few things to consider:

Location! Location!: You can certainly search for doctorate degrees by location (city, state, country). When evaluating, you should factor in whether you are free to re-locate, and if so, whether you prefer a university in a large urban city, or a quieter suburban town. If you are unrestricted in where you go to graduate school, you may want to consider studying abroad for the international perspective. In any case, scheduling a campus visit should be on your ‘to-do’ list.

Interaction: Attending a residential program gives you that face-to-face component that online programs can’t really mimic. Your future classmates are people you will be brainstorming with or discussing journal articles with. You may want to choose a program where you sense there will be good collaboration or support.

Advisors and Advice: Your advisor is someone who will be guiding you through the phases of your doctoral degree. In the beginning of your research, he or she may suggest topics, while later on, your advisor should be someone who inspires you to think creatively, poses interesting research questions and is well-funded in their own research.

Coursework and Accreditation: Choosing a graduate school means evaluating the course curriculum with a critical eye. Some programs, such as law and psychology need to be accredited by specific accreditation organizations. Make sure you know what to look for in terms of industry standards.

Research: Some universities have research grants and amenities that may make them stand out to you. Think, as well, that you will be spending a lot of time doing research so if you do need to be affiliated with a laboratory of other type of facility you factor this in.

How Do I Search for Accredited PhD Programs?

Finding accredited graduate schools for a professional doctorate degree or PhD is easy on GradSchools.com. There are diverse program listings that might include residential Pharm.D, Doctorate of Social Work. Doctor of Philosophy in Textile Engineering and Science, Doctor of Education – Educational Leadership. In fact, you can look for doctorate degrees-Campus programs in these broad categories to filter your search results:

Business

Criminal Justice

Education

Fine Arts

Health and Medicine

Liberal Arts

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Public Affairs & Social Sciences

Religious Studies

Technology

Take the Next Step

Once you have found the category of doctorate degree program you are interested in, you can scroll through the sponsored listings or filter by the location settings mentioned above. The next thing to do is to open a spreadsheet so you can put the name of the graduate school, the date you requested information, the date the admissions office responded, program specifics and application deadline date. The application itself usually entails some advance preparation, so start looking for accredited graduate schools well in advance. It is not a last minute decision, but one that might set you up for personal and professional success.

La Sierra University

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Westcliff University

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is designed for candidates who, having already completed a Masters program, are looking to further develop their practical and theoretical knowledge of the principles that govern global business.

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The Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM) is designed for individuals who wish to enter the acupuncture and Chinese medical field at the doctoral level and do not have prior training in acupuncture and Chinese medicine...

The Transitional Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (tDACM) is for graduates from a master’s degree program in acupuncture and Chinese medicine or Oriental medicine who would like to pursue a doctorate...

MA Program and PhD Programs will support you in acquiring knowledge in a broad array of Asian cultural and philosophical contexts.The programs attract students who engage in classical subjects with perspectives on spiritual philosophies and traditions...

University of San Francisco

At the University of San Francisco, PsyD students are trained to translate thought to action, through practice-oriented training that emphasizes the mental, emotional and physical health needs of underserved communities.

Jesuit School Of Theology At Berkeley

The Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley is a professional theological school faithful to the intellectual tradition and the apostolic priority of the Society of Jesus: reverent and critical service of the faith that does justice. JSTB achieves its mis...

Humphreys College

California Graduate Institute

This program offers an in-depth understanding of the therapeutic process, primarily through the applied clinical application of psychodynamic theory and technique. There is an opportunity for students to experience a community placement location or inte...

This program offers an in-depth understanding of the therapeutic process, primarily through the applied clinical application of psychodynamic theory and technique. There is an opportunity for students to experience a community placement location or inte...

Pacific States University

Huron International University

The mission of Huron is to offer high quality post-secondary education to capable domestic and international career students who seek entry or advancement and who possess the motivation and maturity to pursue higher education. Huron emphasizes individua...

An applied program designed for the working adult, our Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology meets the educational requirements for licensure by the California Board of Psychology. We offer competitive tuition rates, highly qualified instructors and small classe...

The mission of Huron is to offer high quality post-secondary education to capable domestic and international career students who seek entry or advancement and who possess the motivation and maturity to pursue higher education. Huron emphasizes individua...

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary prepares committed and competent men and women for the ministry of Jesus Christ in the church and in the world. We are a seminary of the Evangelical Church in America, working in association and collaboration with t...

Monterey College Of Law

Master of Legal Studies degree is a two-year terminal Masters degree. Does not qualify graduate to practice law or take the California Bar Examination. Juris Doctorate degree is an evening, campus based, four year program.

Keck Graduate Institute

The Master of Bioscience (MBS) program at KGI prepares a new generation of scientifically skilled and business-minded leaders-hybrids, if you will-for the bioscience industry. A two-year professional degree, the MBS embraces applicants fresh out of s...

The Program is offered in conjunction with the Graduate School. Degrees may be obtained in any of the basic science areas listed under the Graduate School. Financial Assistance is available to cover tuition and living costs. Requires acceptance by both...

At Loma Linda University's School of Public Health, you get a top-notch Christian education where the school's mission is to further the healing/teaching ministry of Jesus Christ to "make man whole" - body, mind and spirit. Learn with others where diver...

Epidemiology comprises the research methods which identify and isolate the underlying causes of disease and injury. The epidemiologist plays a key role in conducting studies of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations; moni...

The MS in Marital and Family Therapy is designed to give students a broad academic background, as well as professional practice, for working with individuals, couples, groups, and families in a variety of settings.

The M.A. or Ph.D. in family studies programs offered at Loma Linda University by the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences are designed to prepare professionals to work in applied settings such as family services agencies, schools, churches, and...

Pacific School of Religion

...committed to serving God by equipping historic and emerging faith communities for a changing world. We affirm our historic mission to educate men and women for ministry in other forms of religious leadership and to be a center and resource for Christ...

...committed to serving God by equipping historic and emerging faith communities for a changing world. We affirm our historic mission to educate men and women for ministry in other forms of religious leadership and to be a center and resource for Christ...

University of Southern California

The Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California offers the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree for students and professionals interested in the application of health promotion and disease prevention technologies and inter...

The School of Religion offers an interdisciplinary program leading to the M.A. or Ph.D. in Social Ethics. Graduate study enables students to reflect upon the major traditions of ethical thought, to develop critical tools for understanding the function o...

Industry requests for USC Regulatory Science graduates are constant. Students can look forward to being in demand by future employers. A career in biomedical product development offers the chance to work on products that will save lives.
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The graduate program in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences provides instruction and research training in diverse aspects of drugs including design, delivery, disposition, and mechanism of action. These subjects are examined at the molecular, cell...

The Hancock Institute for Marine Studies (HIMS), in coordination with the Departments of Biological Sciences and Earth Sciences, offers an opportunity for graduate study with an emphasis in interdisciplinary aspects of oceanography.

Industry requests for USC Regulatory Science graduates are constant. Students can look forward to being in demand by future employers. A career in biomedical product development offers the chance to work on products that will save lives.
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Occupational Therapy is a health care profession aimed at improving lives by helping people to organize their daily activities - occupations - to enjoy maximum independence, health, and satisfaction. You can find occupational therapists in hospitals, ps...

The graduate program combines traditional study of Russian literature and language with a more specialized concentration on such areas as literary theory, the relation of Russian literature to its cultural context, and the interrelation of Russian liter...

The graduate programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy are jointly offered by the Departments of Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy, Economics, and the School of Public Administration. The collaborative progr...

The aim of the program is to provide advanced training in the methods and techniques of historical research and writing. Course work at the graduate level stresses the critical reading of historical literature, participation in seminars, and research un...

The graduate literature program helps students develop their analytical skills by dealing critically with literary, philosophical, and cultural texts and traditions. The ability to interact with German-speaking nations on political, economic and cultura...

The department offers courses leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in the following three broad areas of specialization: economic theory and quantitative methods; applied economic theory (including industrial organization and public economics); and int...

The graduate program in craniofacial biology offers academic graduate training to individuals with a Doctor of Dental Surgery, Medical Doctor or equivalent degree. Applicants with Bachelor of Science degrees in areas such as biology and chemistry are al...

Offered by the Department of Preventive Medicine, the graduate programs in biostatistics and epidemiology train students in applied statistics so that they can function not only as members of interdisciplinary health research teams, but also as liaisons...

The Department of Anthropology, in cooperation with the School of Cinema-Television, offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Arts degree in Visual Anthropology. Based on supervised field work in social anthropology, the program's goal is to g...

The department provides students with thorough grounding in sociological theory and methods of research and helps students become proficient in the processes of scientific inquiry. Students participate in faculty research as a means of learning to formu...

M.S. - offers students the flexibility to prepare for a wide range of careers, including research, teaching, industry, or consulting;Ph.D. - to educate individuals who are interested in investigating mechanisms of disease and who will pursue careers...

Industry requests for USC Regulatory Science graduates are constant. Students can look forward to being in demand by future employers. A career in biomedical product development offers the chance to work on products that will save lives.
The USC...

Industry requests for USC Regulatory Science graduates are constant. Students can look forward to being in demand by future employers. A career in biomedical product development offers the chance to work on products that will save lives.
The MS prog...

Students interested in the M.A./Ph.D. Depth Psychology program with an emphasis in Somatic Studies have a variety of interests, experiences, and callings that have led them to believe that in order to study the psyche one must give primary attention to...

For nearly 20 years, Pacifica's Mythological Studies Program has offered the only doctoral program in the country that investigates mythologies and cultural traditions through the lenses of religious studies, literature, and depth psychology. Students d...

The M.A./PhD. Program in Depth Psychology with emphasis in Jungian and Archetypal Studies centers around the philosophy that the theories and practices within the Jungian tradition continue to offer valuable insights and tools into working with the psyc...

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